A few months ago I was poking around online and came across a site for the grassroots non-profit project called Days For Girls. From the second I read their action plan, and subsequently their entire site in that first sitting, I knew it was something that I wanted to be a part of.
Days For Girls was founded in 2008 by Celeste Mergens after working in a Kenyan orphanage and noticing that the girls weren’t educated about their menstrual cycles nor equipped to deal with it (no feminine hygiene products available to them).
This feminine hygiene program’s motto is: Every Girl. Everywhere. Period. Their vision is for every girl and woman in the world to have feasible access to quality sustainable hygiene and health education by the year 2022. Like I said before, I’m on board 100%.
Days for Girls volunteers produce reusable menstrual cycle kits. The program has already sent kits to over 60,000 girls in over 60 countries worldwide. These kits last approximately three years and have literally changed the lives of many girls and young women who before had to skip school and/or work due to their menstrual cycles. This in turn has resulted in lower school drop-out rates in many areas as well as a lot less lost income for days missed at work.
Days for Girls is also very active in helping set up local sewing cooperatives and teaching the local women how to make the kit components themselves.
After writing back and forth with their International Chapter Liaison Cindy Murdock I started up one of Europe’s first Days For Girls teams. So, I’m now official and couldn’t be prouder! I’ve been busy cutting, sewing and gathering supplies for kits and luckily I have a fantastic group of friends who are happily getting involved and helping me out.
A project that helps girls and women in need and that involves sewing? A match made in heaven for me.
If you are interested in becoming involved or donating supplies contact Days for Girls here (or look here for a team or chapter near you). If you’re living in Italy or even Europe and would like to help out my team by sewing kit components or donating supplies (cotton, flannel, ribbon, miniature soaps, new cotton underpants or facecloths) contact me at VareseItaly@daysforgirls.org. I’d love to hear from you.
Jillian In Italy 
on board. will be bringing lots of flannel
Thank you!!
what a great cause to be involved in! Something we take for granted in first world countries, but would be such a luxury to some girls.
I know. I’m glad the word is getting out about the problem and that so many girls are being helped by Days for Girls. Jx
Genuinely no matter if someone doesn’t be aware of after that its up to other viewers that they will assist,
so here it happens.
Something I’m sure most of us have never thought about as we take what we have for granted. This is a very practical, tangible and effective charity…and a perfect fit for you Jill! And a perfect time to highlight this issue and cause being International Women’s Day! I can’t sew but will contact the chapter just 2 hrs south of us to see how I can help.
Thanks that good work you offer to girl child world over.Am Peter a high school teacher, i love to in touch with you. Face the same problems in our schools and community. Peter.
I greatly enjoyed meeting with your Mom yesterday and we spent the morning chatting and assembling 25 Days for Girls” kits for her to take to Italy and then on to India. I just know that you guys will have an incredible trip and I look forward to seeing photos of the girls receiving these life-changing gifts!
My mom said she had a lovely afternoon with you! Thank you so much for donating the 25 kits for our trip to India. We’ll make sure they get into hands of girls in need. I’ll make sure to take lots of photos to send along. Sending you many warm greetings from Italy, Jillian